Posted On February 10, 2023 Divorce
Spouses have two options for dissolving a marriage or domestic partnership: divorce and annulment. Here are the differences between the two.
An annulment is a court order stating that your marriage was not valid from the start. This means that, according to the law, you and your partner were not actually married. An annulment is sometimes called a declaration that your marriage is “void” or a “nullity.”
A divorce or dissolution of marriage is a legal process that terminates the marital rights and responsibilities between spouses. It will substantially affect each spouse’s financial and personal life. Issues commonly involved are the division of assets and debts, spousal maintenance (support), the welfare of any children of the marriage, and tax consequences.
“Grounds” refers to the legal basis for an action, or reasons why an annulment or divorce is justified. For example, in Washington, the grounds for an annulment or divorce are as follows:
Declaring a marriage invalid or getting an annulment is only an option for Washington spouses if one of the following legal grounds can be met:
When a Washington court finds a marriage to be invalid, it is as if the marriage never took place. Additionally, there is no waiting period before an annulment can be granted. However, you will have to prove your case by submitting evidence to support your grounds for annulment, and you may call witnesses.
The only legally acceptable grounds for divorce in Washington are that the marriage is “irretrievably broken,” since Washington is a no-fault divorce state. One spouse must also be a resident of the state and a divorce will take at least 90 days before it will be granted. However, spouses do not have to provide evidence to prove grounds for divorce.
You can find more answers to commonly asked questions here.
When seeking an annulment, spouses will not be granted spousal support, property division, or compensation for attorney fees unless the case goes to court and it is discovered that one spouse committed fraud. However, issues related to child custody will be determined similar to a divorce. During a divorce, a spouse can pursue spousal support. Additionally, in special cases where one spouse has a low income, the court may award a certain fee that can be placed toward attorney fees.
To learn more and get the help you deserve, call our divorce lawyers or reach out to Twyford Law Office online by visiting our contact us page.
We serve in King County and Spokane County in Washington and its surrounding areas. You can also visit our offices. We are conveniently located in Seattle, Spokane & Bellevue:
Twyford Law Office – Seattle Office
814 Second Avenue, Suite 515,
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 590-7085
Twyford Law Office – Spokane Office
430 W Indiana Ave,
Spokane, WA 99205.
(509) 327 0777
Twyford Law Office – Bellevue Office
1408 140th Pl NE Suite 400,
Bellevue, WA 98007
(425) 517-3350
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Our Law Offices
Our Seattle Office
814 Second Avenue 515,
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 590-7085
Our Spokane Office
430 W Indiana Ave,
Spokane, WA 99205
(509) 327 0777
Our Bellevue Office
1408 140th Place NE, Suite 400,
Bellevue, WA 98007
(425) 517 3350.